Leather bookbinding is a beautiful and durable way to preserve books. It is also practical, as animal skins are abundant, sturdy and flexible. In addition, leather bindings can be customized to match any décor from dark academia to country kitsch, making them a beautiful addition to any home library. Several of the more common varieties of leather include:
- Bonded leather is a cheap alternative to real leather and may be marketed by bookbinders as the real deal. I like to think of it as masticated leather that is held together by a bonding agent.
- Calf is one of the most common leather bindings. It is characterized by a smooth surface and no identifiable grain pattern. The natural color is light brown, but can be dyed a variety of hues.
- Morocco is leather named after the country from which it originated and it characterized by a pebbled grain appearance.
- Vellum is characterized by a very fine, smooth skin surface. It was also used as a writing material substitute for papyrus.
Leather bindings may be stretched over hard cover boards such as wood or cardboard, or paired with another material. Quarter bound, half bound, or three quarter bound all refer to the amount of leather used in bookbinding. Dyes and acidic solutions can also be applied to the leather, creating mottled or marbled appearances depending upon the technique used. Other techniques include stamping, tooling, and gilding.
- Stamping uses a metal die to create a raised design on the leather.
- Tooling uses a heated tool to create a decorative pattern in the leather.
- Gilding applies a thin layer of gold leaf to the leather.
Browse my selection of antique books to discover a variety of leather bindings from the simple to the ornate!